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Nailsworth mum admits giving diazepam to her five-year-old daughter

A MOTHER has admitted administering the sedative drug diazepam to her young daughter.

The woman, aged 40, and her 39-year-old partner, both admitted a similar cruelty charge involving the use of the drug Medised on the girl, who is now five.

The parents, both from Nailsworth, denied a charge of administering the heroin-substitute methadone to the child, which was accepted by the prosecution at Gloucester Crown Court on Monday, and they were bailed until a date to be fixed for pre-sentence reports to be prepared.

The couple had faced four charges and were due to stand trial in May, but the case was resolved without trial when the prosecution did not proceed with the methadone charge or another alleging the couple were also cruel by using a feeding tube on the child every night.

Kannan Siva, prosecuting, said "It is a case where these two defendants were in a desperate position and failed to protect the child rather than any particular ill will directed towards the child."

Mr Siva said the child is now being cared for by an aunt and her health has 'improved immeasurably'.

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